BPS-Support-Scouts

Our first troop meeting is this Wednesday Sept 3 at 7 PM. I would like to meet with SPLs, PLs, and APLs at 6:30 so that we can get a meeting plans for the month of Sept. Our first camping trip is the Mighty Run Sept 12-14. We need to know if you are planning on attending this event so that we can get registered.

The Boy Scouts of America recognizes shooting sports as one of their best recruiting activities! The National Rifle Association is asking you to join in helping make shooting sports BSA’s number one recruiting and retention tool. Opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges and experience shooting sports will grow when the number of NRA Certified Instructors and NRA Range Safety Officers a council has available to provide instruction. With that in mind; over the course of October 24th-26th, I will be conducting an NRA Shotgun Instructor course at Camp Russell in Woodgate, NY for those interested registered Scouters.

This course is not a firearm instruction course, but rather designed to help those who are already familiar with the safe operations of firearms to take themselves to the next level, so they can share their knowledge with others, particularly scouts. There is a written pre-test and practical shooting test that is required of everyone to pass prior to completing this NRA Instructor course.

I am offering this course at a significantly discounted rate for registered scouters 21 years old and older. The $95 fee covers the cost of facilities and program materials; there is an additional NRA certification fee of $30 to be paid separately.

In addition any scouts or scouters under the age of 21 who have interest in becoming assistant instructors (age 18-20) or apprentice instructors (age 13-17) are encouraged to attend. This is designed for those youth who are interested in taking their interest in shooting sports to the next level. Please contact me for additional information regarding assistant and apprentice instructor ratings.

The course will start promptly at 6pm Friday October 24th and wrap up around 6pm Sunday afternoon. Bunkhouse style sleeping arrangements have been made at Camp Russell as we will be running into the night Friday and Saturday afternoon, and starting early Saturday and Sunday mornings. There are additional sleeping options of cabins that can accommodate up to 4 people can be rented for an additional fee.

If you are interested or have additional questions please contact me at dave_r_jr@yahoo.com. The registration deadline is October 3rd, I must have a minimum of 10 participants to hold this course.

David Roberts,
RTC Shooting Sports Chair
NRA Training Counselor

As parents of a Scout I am sure that you understand the value the Scouting program provides to youth. However, we are always looking to improve ways to both reach out to new youths and provide a better Scouting experience to parents like you who are already in the program. Part of creating that better experience is in the way the local Council communicates with the Unit leaders and parents. It is in this area that we see an opportunity for improvement. This brief survey will be incredibly helpful for us to find ways to make your experience with Scouting a better one.

This survey only has 16 easy questions and should take very little of time to complete. It will benefit us, and ultimately you and your Scout as we work to continually increase the quality of the Scouting experience.

Simply click on the link below (or cut and paste it onto a browser) and it will take you to the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F5CHFQ2

Thank you so much for your time.

Yours in Scouting

Kirk Evans
VP Marketing
Revolutionary Trails Council

In the near future you will be receiving popcorn sales info in the mail. You may begin to sell popcorn when you get your sales form. Donna Blenis and Michele Smith are your contacts for this fund raiser. If you have any questions contact either of them. We will also have Gertrude Hawk Candy forms at our first meeting. This is our primary fund raiser for the year. Each Scout is required to earn $100 for the Troop Treasury (that is about $300 in sales). From the Treasury the Troop pays all registration fees for events, the troop charter, insurance, awards, camping equipment etc. Earnings above the $100 will be applied to 2015 Summer Camp.

As a reminder our first leader’s mtg. is Aug 27 at 6 PM at my house. It is a ‘bring a dish’ to pass BBQ. We will be developing our annual calendar. If you plan on attending please let me know so I can have enough meat and rolls. So far I have only heard from 8 people.

We will be having our annual planning meeting, (Leaders Meeting), on Aug 27 at my house (Scoutmaster Obernesser). It will be a ‘bring a small dish’ to pass BBQ. I will pick up the meat and rolls, but I need to know how many are coming. All committee members and uniformed leaders are requested to attend, parents are welcome! We will be developing the annual calendar, create our annual budget, reviewing fund raising, discussing advancement and reviewing summer camp. Let me know if you can make it.

Our first Troop Meeting will be Sept 3 at Myles School starting at 7 PM. This earlier than usual start is due to the Fall Council Camporee being Sept 12-14 as part of the Mighty Run at the Masonic Care Community. We need to get a head count for this event and do the menu and food purchase plan. I would like to meet with all of the Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders and Senior Scouts at 6:30 to plan the upcoming meetings.

POPCORN PICKUP & TRAINING
NEW LOCATION
SCOUT SERVICE CENTER

ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 14TH DO NOT GO TO TEALS
COME TO THE SCOUT SERVICE CENTER

Show and Sell Popcorn Pick Up starting @ 5pm
and Unit Kernal Training @ 7pm

Address: 1401 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501.
Park in back lot (entrance on Oneida Street)

Questions: Call Scout Service Center at 735.4437

Special Pricing on
Water Safari Tickets!

Great pricing on tickets for Enchanted Forest Water Safari starting Monday, August 18th through Monday, September 1st for Scouts and their families.

Adult tickets (ages 12+) are $19 (plus tax) and Children’s tickets are $17 (plus tax).
Wow! That’s a great deal – just about $10 off/ticket!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PURCHASE — Enter the code: RTC2014

POPCORN
Units: here’s your opportunity to put in your Show n’ Sell orders! You can place your orders through Campmasters by clicking here, or you can fill out these forms and return them to the Scout Service Center. Orders need to be placed by Saturday, July 26. Be on the lookout for the full Popcorn Guide in the next issue of Scoutwire!

MIGHTY CHALLENGE T-SHIRTS
Mighty Challenge tees are now available to buy at camps or for pre-order through the Scout Service Center! Call the Scout Service Center at 315-735-4437 for more details.

CONGRATS TO NEW EAGLE SCOUTS
RTC would like to congratulate the new Eagles from the June 17 Board of Review:
Garret Hansen, Troop 107
Anders Larson, Troop 108
Justin Reynolds, Troop 9
Nick Ashton, Troop 44

ANNUAL RECOGNITION DINNER
Congratulations to those who received awards at the Council Annual Recognition Dinner!

Silver Beaver Award
Deborah Amidon
Mark Mowrey

District Award of Merit
Thomas Lester
Ben Obernesser

Distinguished Commissioner Service Award
Deborah Amidon
Rick Rotondi

Commissioner Arrowhead Award
Cory Jenner
Dave Roberts

JTE Award
Ga Hon Ga Lodge

Unit Leader Award of Merit
Tim Hicks

CONDOLENCES
RTC sends condolences to the family of Scout Joe Pacchiari, who passed away unexpectedly on July 6. Joe was a member of Troop 44, Lee Center, where he had been working to complete his Eagle project. Contributions in Joe’s memory may be made to Troop 44 or to the RFA Cross Country Booster Club. Read the full obituary here.